Across Australia, communities have big ideas to strengthen their economies – whether it’s affordable housing, local business hubs, or renewable energy projects. But too often, these plans stall due to a lack of accessible investment. Traditional funding models prioritise large-scale projects and external investors, leaving regional towns and suburban areas struggling to secure the capital they need.
Now, a bold new initiative is flipping the script. The Local Investment Fund & Mutual Pilot is inviting 30 communities to take part in a groundbreaking model that allows local people to fund, own, and benefit from their own economic development.
How the Model Works
This initiative introduces a two-tier investment structure designed to keep profits within communities while also attracting large-scale funding:
🔹 Local Investment Funds (LIFs) – Community-owned funds that allow residents, businesses, and local governments to invest directly in projects that matter most. These funds could support anything from housing and childcare centres to manufacturing, retail precincts, and renewable energy.
🔹 The Investment Fund Mutual (IFM) – A nationwide mutual organisation that supports local funds by providing expert guidance, financial structuring, and access to superannuation funds, banks, and impact investors.
This model ensures that returns stay local, reinvesting in the community rather than flowing out to external investors.
Why It Matters
For decades, regional and suburban communities have struggled to attract the investment needed to drive growth. Traditional funding sources prioritise larger cities or corporate-driven projects, often leaving local businesses and initiatives without the capital to thrive.
This new approach puts decision-making power in the hands of the community itself. It means:
- Stronger local economies – keeping investment and profits within the region
- More jobs and opportunities – funding projects that create employment
- Greater self-sufficiency – reducing reliance on external investors.
Who Can Get Involved?
The pilot is open to 30 communities across Australia, whether regional, suburban, or urban. This could include:
- Regional towns looking to invest in affordable housing
- Local councils wanting to fund renewable energy projects
- Suburban business districts aiming to revitalise local retail hubs
- Communities seeking to build childcare centres and essential infrastructure.
Ten communities have already expressed interest – and now, 30 more are being sought to test and shape the model.
How It Will Work
Participating communities will:
- Nominate a local representative to engage with the initiative
- Join online workshops to help design the feasibility study
- Identify local investment priorities and explore funding opportunities.
The Place Based Capital Initiative will oversee the pilot, working to secure funding and finalise the research needed to launch the full model.
Who’s Behind the Initiative?
This pilot is being led by Ethical Fields, a specialist organisation that develops and implements community wealth-building and place-based capital initiatives tailored to Australia. With deep expertise in local investment models, Ethical Fields is working to ensure that communities have the tools, knowledge, and structures to take control of their economic future.
The Place Based Capital Initiative, in collaboration with Ethical Fields, will oversee the pilot, working to secure funding and finalise the research needed to launch the full model.
“We are confident we’ll hit 30 communities soon so are currently engaging potential funders,” says Meaghan Burkett, Executive Director, Ethical Fields & Place Based Capital Initiative Lead.
The Time to Act is Now
The opportunity to be one of the first 30 communities in Australia to trial this model is limited. This is more than an investment strategy – it’s a movement to give local people the power to shape their own economic future.
For more information or to express interest, contact Meaghan Burkett at Ethical Fields on 0407 024 036.
